Established in 2010, the Eric Rolls Lecture is a bi-annual lecture that highlights the work of Australia’s environmental scientists and writers.

Eric Rolls was a poet, historian, environmentalist, farmer philosopher and prolific author.

Eric has been described as 'the finest historian of our natural landscape, who writes books about rabbits, forests, dingoes and turtles, yet can't stand greenies'.

The Library holds the personal papers of Eric Rolls, as well as oral history recordings, photographs and publications. His works include a two-volume history of Chinese immigration, and A Million Wild Acres, a history of the conquest and destruction of Australia's wilderness.

The Lecture is organised by the Watermark Literary Society and funded by Elaine van Kempen, the widow of Eric Rolls and executor of his estate.

Eric Rolls Memorial lectures

Bruce Pascoe, 2018

Professor Nicholas Jose, 2016

Nicholas Rothwell, 2014

Professor Richard Kingsford, 2012

Bill Gammage, 2010

The National Library of Australia acknowledges Australia’s First Nations Peoples – the First Australians – as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land and gives respect to the Elders – past and present – and through them to all Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Cultural Notification

Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website contains a range of material which may be considered culturally sensitive including the records of people who have passed away.

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